Council Meeting Minutes 

5 November 2025

Unconfirmed

 

MINUTES OF Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Inaugural Council No. CO25-IN
HELD IN THE Council Chambers, 1484 Cameron Road, Tauranga
ON Wednesday, 5 November 2025 AT 1.00pm

1                 Karakia

The Strategic Kaupapa Māori Manager opened the hui with a karakia.

2                Present – ngā mema kei konei 

Mayor J Denyer (Chairperson), Cr G Dally, Cr R Joyce, Cr D Dinsdale, Cr L Rae, Cr A Sole, Cr S Beech and Cr G Elvin

3                In Attendance – i tae ake

M Taris (Interim Chief Executive Officer), R Garrett (Governance Manager), A Curtis (General Manager Regulatory Services), B Singh (General Manager Infrastructure Services), M Potton (General Manager Corporate Services), E Watton (Acting General Manager Strategy and Community), C Nepia (Strategic Kaupapa Māori Manager),                 L Balvert (Communication Manager), P Osborne (Senior Governance Advisor), R Leahy (Senior Governance Advisor), E Logan (Governance Advisor) and J Duncan (Governance Coordinator)

Community Boards

Ōmokoroa - Kaimai Community Board

C Dever, B Rakoia, M Marshall, T Tuhakaraina, T Akuhata and K Wisnesky

 

Maketu Community Board

S Elliot, A Waterhouse, C Thomas and W Moko

 

Te Puke – Eastern Community Board

D Snell, S Benning, K Summerhays, M Williams and M Singh Mann

 

Waihī Beach Community Board

W Stevenson, G Kelly, H Guptill and R Goudie   

 

Katikati Community Board

J Sayer, A Henry and N Mayo

 

Others in attendance

Invited guests and whānau of Elected Members

Media

Introduction by Interim Chief Executive Officer

The Interim Chief Executive Officer began the formal section of the meeting by welcoming everyone to the inaugural meeting for the 2025-2028 triennium. She advised it was a formal process whereby the newly elected Mayor and Elected Members would take a formal declaration. Once Mayor Denyer had taken his declaration, he would proceed with chairing the Council meeting. At the end of the meeting, each Community Board would hold their own meeting and formally take declarations from their members.

4               Apologies – ngā whakapahā

The apologies from Councillor Tracey Coxhead and Councillor Margaret Murray-Benge were noted.

5                Consideration of Late Items – ngā take tōmuri

Nil

6                Declarations of Interest – ngā tukitukinga

Nil

7                Public Excluded Items – ngā take tapu

Nil

8                Public Forum – wāhanga tūmatanui

Nil

9                Reports - Ngā pūrongo

9.1          Declaration by the Mayor

Mayor-Elect James Denyer made and signed the declaration. The making, attesting and signing of the declaration required of the Mayor was witnessed by the Interim Chief Executive Officer. Mayor Denyer was then presented with the Mayoral Chain of Office and Mayoress Bourne was presented with the medallion and a bouquet of flowers.

Mayor Denyer then addressed the meeting attendees, welcomed everyone and gave his inaugural speech.

 

9.2         Declaration by Councillors

Mayor Denyer called each Councillor to the lectern to make and sign the declaration in the following order:

1.               Shane Beech;

2.             Darlene Dinsdale;

3.             Grant Dally;

4.             Graeme Elvin;

5.             Rodney Joyce;

6.             Laura Rae; and

7.              Allan Sole.

 

The making, attesting and signing of the declaration required of Councillors was witnessed by Mayor Denyer, and followed by an inaugural speech.

 

 

9.3         Legislative advice for incoming Elected Members

Council considered a report dated 5 November 2025 from the Governance Manager.

The Interim Chief Executive Officer advised it was incumbent on the Chief Executive Officer to bring to the attention of Councillors and Community Board members key aspects of relevant legislation and provided an overview of the following:

·                Local Government Act 2002;

·                Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act;

·                Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968;

·                Crimes Act 1961 sections 99, 105 and 105a;

·                Secret Commissions Act 1910;

·                Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013;

·                Health and Safety at Work Act 2015; and

·                Privacy Act 2020.

 

Resolution  CO25-IN.1

Moved:                         Cr R Joyce

Seconded:         Cr G Dally

1.        That the Governance Manager’s report dated 5 November 2025 titled ‘Legislative advice for incoming Elected Members’ be received.

2.       That Elected Members note the requirements to disclose and update any personal or financial interests that may conflict with their role as an Elected Member.  

Carried

 

9.4         Appointment of Deputy Mayor 2025 - 2028 Triennium

Council considered a report dated 5 November 2025 from the Governance Manager. The report was taken as read.

Resolution  CO25-IN.2

Moved:                         Mayor J Denyer

Seconded:         Cr A Sole

1.        That the Governance Manager’s report dated 5 November 2025, titled ‘Appointment of Deputy Mayor 2025-2028 Triennium’, be received.

2.       That Council acknowledges the appointment by the Mayor of Councillor Margaret Murray-Benge as Deputy Mayor of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council for the 2025-2028 triennium.

Carried

 

9.5         Appointment of Councillors to Community Boards 2025-2028 Triennium

Council considered a report dated 5 November 2025 from the Governance Manager. The report was taken as read.

Resolution  CO25-0.3

Moved:                         Cr S Beech

Seconded:         Cr L Rae

1.        That the Governance Manager’s report dated 5 November 2025 titled ‘Appointment of Councillors to Community Boards 2025-2028 Triennium’ be received.

2.       That pursuant to Section 50 of the Local Government Act 2022, and Section 19F of the Local Electoral Act 2001, Council acknowledges the Mayor’s appointments of the following Councillors to the respective Community Boards:

a.      Waihī Beach Community Board

Councillor Allan Sole

b.      Katikati Community Board

Councillor Rodney Joyce

c.       Ōmokoroa - Kaimai Community Board

Councillor Tracey Coxhead and Deputy Mayor Margaret Murray-Benge

d.      Te Puke - Eastern Community Board

Councillors Grant Dally and Laura Rae

e.       Maketu Community Board

Councillor Shane Beech

Carried

 

9.6         Next meeting date of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council 2025-2028 Triennium

Council considered a report dated 5 November 2025 from the Governance Manager. The Interim Chief Executive Officer provided a brief overview and rationale for the recommendations.

Resolution  CO25-IN.4

Moved:                         Cr A Sole

Seconded:         Cr R Joyce

1.        That the Governance Manager’s report dated 5 November 2025 titled ‘Next meeting date of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council 2025-2028 Triennium’ be received.

2.       That, pursuant to clause 21(5)(d) Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002, the next meeting of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council will be held on 14 November 2025 at the Council Chambers, Barkes Corner, Tauranga, commencing at 2.30pm.

And

That Council notes that while this is the next meeting of Council, it is only for the purpose of Local Waters Done Well. The first normal business meeting of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council will be held on 25 November 2025 at the Council Chambers, Barkes Corner, Tauranga, commencing at 9.30am.  

Carried

 

10              Information for Receipt - Kōrero te whiwhia

Nil

11               Resolution to Exclude the Public

Nil

 

The Meeting closed at 1.46pm.

 

Confirmed as a true and correct record at the Council meeting held 25 November 2025.

 

...................................................

Mayor J Denyer

CHAIRPERSON / MAYOR